GIFT is an empirically-based, service-oriented framework of tools, methods and standards to make it easier to author computer-based tutoring systems (CBTS), manage instruction and assess the effect of CBTS, components and methodologies. GIFT is being developed under the Adaptive Tutoring Research Science & Technology project at the Learning in Intelligent Tutoring Environments (LITE) Laboratory, part of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory - Human Research and Engineering Directorate (ARL-HRED).

The technology gap for a reusable CBTS framework to support individual and small team tutoring was identified through a review of the intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) literature in 2009-2010 and the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) formalized the Army requirement for GIFT in their Army Learning Concept (2011). GIFT was brought to practice in 2011 by the LITE Lab team. The first public demonstration of GIFT was conducted at the Interservice/Industry Training Systems and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in December 2011. The first release of GIFT was completed in May 2012.

While GIFT is being developed to facilitate the use of CBTS by the U.S. Army, the intent is to collaboratively develop GIFT and have it function as a “nexus” for CBTS research being conducted within government, industry and academia.

GIFT consists of several core modules which interact with each other to perform the functions within a Computer-Based Tutoring System (CBTS). The Sensor Module has interfaces to support commercial sensors (e.g., Affectiva Q-Sensor) and its function is to format, process and store sensor data. The Domain Module provides domain content to support training, assesses trainee performance against standards, and provides domain-specific feedback to the trainee when the Pedagogical Module identifies the need for feedback based on trainee performance. The Trainee Module uses trainee performance, historical data (e.g., past performance) and sensor data to determine the trainee’s cognitive and affective state.

Each of these Modules is interchangeable through the virtue of interfacing standards. This allows each Module designer to select the type of approach that they believe is suited towards instruction. For instance, a sample configuration may have a webcam sensor that interprets Facial Action Units (FACs), a rule-based performance assessment, a Feedback Generation Engine that generates varying levels of hints upon request, a finite state machine of trainee assessment, and pedagogy that gives hints on failed problems.

Sensor Module - includes the Affectiva Q sensor to measure electrodermal activity (EDA); a custom mouse sensor to measure EDA; and a software-based "Self Assessment" sensor that can be manipulated for testing

A longer description of the current project and goals is available under the Documents Tab. This paper is the recommended paper for citation. If you are looking to develop with GIFT, we recommend the "Unwrapping GIFT" series of documents, found here (http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1009/0702.pdf) and in the GIFTSym proceedings each year.The software documentation for GIFT is extensive, updated, and complete. It is available with each GIFT download, in the Downloads section.